284 WASPS AND THEIR WAYS 



third and fourth segments. From this 

 instant there was a complete cessation of 

 movement on the part of the unfortunate 

 caterpillar. Limp and helpless, it could 

 offer no further opposition 



^8^^^^ *^ t^^ ^''^ ^^ '^^ conqueror. 



^y^For some moments the 

 "r^'-^^^^^^/y^i >' wasp remained motionless, 

 ^~^^^^ ^- ^-^^^ and then, withdrawing 

 her sting, she plunged it successively 

 between the third and the second, and 

 between the second and the first segments. 

 ''The caterpillar was now left lying on 

 the ground. For a moment the wasp cir- 

 cled above it and then seized it again, 

 further back this time, and with great 

 deliberation and nicety of action gave it 

 four more stings, beginning between the 

 ninth and tenth segments and progressing 

 backward." 



This order of proceeding is not by any 

 means invariable with the wasps; some 

 sting but two or three times ; some sting 



